Optically isolated light dimmer
Optically isolated light dimmer
(OP)
Does anyone know of triac-based light dimmer circuit where potentiometer is optically isolataed from mains?
Raivo
Raivo
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Optically isolated light dimmer
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RE: Optically isolated light dimmer
TTFN
RE: Optically isolated light dimmer
RE: Optically isolated light dimmer
Optical isolation is simply decoupling of the electrical signal through conversion to an optical signal. The isolation occurs within the same package, transmitter and receiver are placed millimeters apart and there is no interaction with ambient lighting.
Remote IR control requires a totally different receiver, since it must deal with the ambient lighting background and must be able to resist a significantly higher level of noise.
In either case, the amount circuitry is substantially higher than a simple rheostat. You now need to control 120Vac signals with digital inputs. Additionally, you'll need some means of converting what is ostensibly an analog input into digital signals.
TTFN
RE: Optically isolated light dimmer
RE: Optically isolated light dimmer
I have built loads of optically isolated dimmer and lamp control circuits over the years. However, they are far more complex than a standard dimmemr as a separate low voltage supply is needed for the control side.
If this is a one shot job, just get an X-10 dimmer module and separate X-10 control unit and be done with it. Total cost maybe $30.00.
RE: Optically isolated light dimmer
RE: Optically isolated light dimmer
RE: Optically isolated light dimmer
RE: Optically isolated light dimmer
By the time you add enough noise filtering to reduce the transformer buzz and kill the EMI, you're up to the cost of doing it right.
Also, don't use the cheap adapters that say they are for heating appliances only. They mean that because all they are is a diode and they apply half wave DC to the load.
When you see things like monitors with 90 to 264V input, they have a switchmode isolated power supply.